12.42°C Magicians. I was brought up knowing magicians. My dad and uncle were stalwarts of the entertainment scene in Clacton for many years as a double act known as The Young Brothers, and they knew most of the other local artists who were around at the time. These included two magicians who are, sadly, no longer with us: Lenny Blease and Larry Spencer, who became personal friends of the family. So, I know magicians.
Oliver Tabor’s Magical Maestro show, at the Headgate Theatre as part of the Colchester Fringe, is a throwback to the days of Lenny and Larry. We have got used to loud, brash, showy magicians with huge tricks, gadgets and illusions, but Oliver takes us back to the old school. Card tricks, rope, rings, bubbles, glass balls and a variation of Tommy Cooper’s “bottle, glass, glass, bottle” trick, only done with a cocktail shaker and cherries instead. Oliver’s personality and patter are warm and engaging. He employs music as an accompaniment, with an old-fashioned gramophone player as a prop. He is quiet and unassuming, which immediately encourages the audience to like him. He even introduces us to his late father, his cat and his soon-to-arrive baby girl to give context and connection to his magic. He displays some vulnerability, which makes him even more likeable. The tricks are great and the audience participation is friendly, but they’re not the main attraction. You are rooting for Oliver from the moment he steps onto the stage because of his charming and agreeable nature.
For me, it brought back a wave of nostalgia from my childhood in the 60s and 70s, growing up watching magic tricks from the likes of Lenny and Larry. It’s great to see that this type of entertainment still has its place in the world in 2025.
Review by Tim Young
The next performance is at 1pm on Saturday, 1st November. Tickets are available.
